fossa

Also known as Cryptoprocta ferox

cat-like, carnivorous mammal native to Madagascar

AI overview

The fossa is a cat-like carnivorous mammal found only in Madagascar that hunts other animals on the island. It matters because it is Madagascar's largest predator and plays an important role in the island's unique ecosystem.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Species

Vulnerable

Jaguarundi

Blattodea

ORDER

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderBlattodea

Observations1,652

Observations recorded511,244

Maximum longevity: 23.1 years (captivity) Observations: In captivity, these animals may live up to 23.1 years (Richard Weigl 2005).

via GBIF · IUCN

Wikidata facts

Mass: 9.5
Image: Cryptoprocta ferox 1 - Syracuse Zoo.jpg

Show 9 more facts

Commons category: Cryptoprocta ferox
taxon name: Cryptoprocta ferox
Commons gallery: Cryptoprocta ferox
taxon common name: fosa
gestation period: 90
litter size: 3
longest observed lifespan: 23.1
sequenced genome URL: www.dnazoo.org/assemblies/Cryptoprocta_ferox
short name: C. ferox

Sources (6)

via Wikidata · CC0

~32 min read

Article

The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox; /ˈfɒsə/ FOSS-ə or /ˈfuːsə/ FOO-sə; Malagasy: [ˈfusə̥]) is a slender, long-tailed, cat-like mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. It is a member of the carnivoran family Eupleridae.

The fossa is the largest mammalian carnivore on Madagascar and has been compared to a small cougar, as it has convergently evolved many cat-like features. Adults have a head-body length of 70–80 cm (28–31 in) and weigh between 5.5 and 8.6 kg (12 and 19 lb), with the males larger than the females. It has semi-retractable claws (meaning it can extend but not retract its claws fully) and flexible ankles that allow it to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree to tree. A larger relative of the species, Cryptoprocta spelea, probably became extinct before 1400.